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US Sends Messages on Syria, IS

The deputy foreign minister said US officials have sent "direct and indirect messages" to Iran on regional issues, including the Syrian crisis and the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

In an interview with the Arabic-language Al-Alam news network and in response to a question on the United States' milder tone of voice toward Syrian President Basher al-Assad, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, "Through our diplomatic channels, we learned that the US has been deceived by some regional countries regarding the Syrian issue," Fars news agency reported.

He said, "(US officials) have sent messages, directly or indirectly, to Tehran on regional challenges, such as the fight against the IS terrorist group and on a political solution to the crisis in Syria."

Touching on the differences between Iran and Saudi Arabia on various issues, such as the situation in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, he said, "We had observed good progress in diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia… but Saudi officials shifted their stance on some issues which ran counter to Iran's will and caused some concerns among regional states."

He added that Riyadh should take new steps to bring unity and empathy among the countries in the region.

On a meeting between Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers, he said, "A (planned) meeting was postponed for a specific reason, the slump in oil prices." The deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs pointed out that the oil-rich regional states expect Saudi Arabia and other oil producers to take measures to stop the decline in oil prices to prevent any harm to the countries in the region and their economies.

He added, "We told the Saudis through diplomatic means that we should prevent the enemies' plot to deal a blow to the growing economies of regional states by adopting wise decisions."

Touching on the conditions in Iraq, the foreign ministry official said, "Immediately after the fall of Mosul in Iraq, we were the first country which provided all sorts of support to the country in their fight against terrorism and the IS group."

Amir-Abdollahian said, "Today, we are observing that no effective and decisive measures are taken by the US in Iraq. It is widely believed that in some areas, the US has airdropped packages containing weapons and foodstuffs in the regions under control of the IS and other terrorist groups."

Strategic Ties

Referring to Tehran-Ankara relations, the deputy foreign minister said, "The relations are truly strategic. Despite differing views on some issues pertaining to the political future in Syria, no side will allow the differences harm the strategic relations between the two countries."

In an effort to find political solutions to the crisis in Syria, the two countries' officials agreed to pursue serious consultations to work out a practical solution which would benefit the region and serve the mutual interests of Iran and Turkey, the diplomat said.

He referred to the situation in Lebanon and said, "The current significant issue in Lebanon is the election of a president in the country. Iran follows the process with seriousness."